About Herbal Medicine

Our clinic offers herbs in the convenient forms of granules, pills and bulk herbs. Additionally, we prescribe with the utmost integrity and skill and are extensively trained in contraindications and herb-drug interactions. We source the highest quality herbs from companies that perform rigorous testing for potency, purity and safety.

Chinese herbal medicine involves the use of natural plant and mineral substances to produce healing changes in the body. With a 3000-year history, the Chinese herbal pharmacopeia is one of the most extensively studied and thoroughly documented medicinal systems in existence.

Chinese herbal medicine is regarded as a powerful complement to acupuncture treatment. Many practitioners use Chinese herbs as a way of offering the body continual therapeutic input between acupuncture treatments. By taking herbs on a daily basis, the positive momentum created by acupuncture is enhanced. Single herbs are typically formulated into synergistic combinations to produce maximum therapeutic results without side effects. Furthermore, custom formulas are created based upon the unique constitution and diagnosis of each patient.

Herbal medicine works from the inside out by treating the core imbalances that underlie your symptoms. The long-term use of Western drugs for chronic health problems can be detrimental to the foundation of one's health. This is why it is often best to pursue plant-based medicines and proper nutrition whenever possible before resorting to Western medications. Herbs offer a more gentle, life-affirming way to heal oneself.

FAQs

Q: Are there side effects?
A: When prescribed properly by a licensed acupuncturist, herbal medicine is very safe. Patients will occasionally report loose stools and/or ingestion when first taking an herbal formula. In most cases, this is a natural and temporary healing reaction which only lasts a day or so. In rare instances, the patient might have an allergy to some component of the formula - in this case, your acupuncturist would adjust the formula to suit your constitution.

Q: Can I use Chinese herbal medicine while taking other medications?
A: It is very important to let your acupuncturist know of any prescription medications, supplements and/or other herbal formulas you might be taking. Acupuncturists are trained to recognize when herbal medicine is appropriate and when it is not. Certain medications may be "red flags" for herbal medicine. For example, patients on Coumadin or Warfarin would not be candidates for herbal medicine as these are very high-maintenance drugs. In cases where a patient is on 'red flag' medications or is taking too many medications to properly predict or monitor potential interactions, the acupuncturist will simply apply the other tools of traditional Chinese medicine in treating the patient - namely acupuncture, massage and nutritional recommendations.

Q: What forms do the herbs come in?
A: We dispense herbs in pill, granule and bulk form. When taking granules, warm water is simply added and the formula is taken like a tea. Bulk herbs must be cooked at home and the liquid strained before drinking.

Q: When do I take the herbs?
A: Your acupuncturist will instruct you on how to take your herbal formula.

Beaverton

G&L Acupuncture and Wellness Center
9520 SW Beaverton Hillsdale Hwy.
Beaverton, OR 97005

Phone: 503-643-1788

West Linn

G&L Acupuncture and Herbal Clinic
18670 Willamette Dr. Suite #102
West Linn, OR 97068

Phone: 503-635-4888

© G&L Acupuncture and Wellness Center 2013